Aeluma Joins AIM Photonics as Full Industry Member

Semiconductor technology company Aeluma has become a full industry member of the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics). Aeluma has collaborated with AIM Photonics for more than two years as part of an ongoing government-directed project (GDP) to develop the heterogeneous integration of compound semiconductor devices on silicon.

One of nine Manufacturing Innovation Institutes established by the U.S. Department of Defense, AIM Photonics’ mission is to advance integrated photonic circuit manufacturing technology development in the U.S. The institute's prototyping services include silicon photonics multiproject wafer services to shorten design time, improve manufacturing efficiency, and reduce the price of entry for companies developing new applications. The silicon photonics prototyping services operate through the Albany NanoTech Complex in Albany, New York.

The primary goal of Aeluma’s ongoing GDP collaboration with AIM Photonics is to add quantum dot laser technology to AIM Photonics’ silicon photonics offerings. To this end, Aeluma has been leveraging its 300 mm metalorganic chemical vapor deposition capability to deposit the required compound semiconductor materials onto AIM Photonics 300 mm silicon photonics wafers.

Aeluma was awarded a contract by NASA in November, which was preceded by an $11.7 million funding award by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in September. The company also received funding from the U.S. Navy in late 2023 to support the development of high-speed photodetectors for defense and aerospace applications.